Utilizing endpoint security posture, identification, and remote attestation for restricting private application access

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods include, responsive to a request to access an application, wherein the application is in one of a public cloud, a private cloud, and an enterprise network, and wherein the user device is remote over the Internet, determining if a user of the user device is permitted to access the application; determining a posture of the user device; and allowing access to the application based on whether the user is permitted to access the application and based on the posture of the user device.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to computer networking systemsand methods. More particularly, the present disclosure relates tosystems and methods utilizing endpoint security posture, identification,and remote attestation for restricting private application access.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The traditional view of an enterprise network (i.e., corporate, private,etc.) included a well-defined perimeter defended by various appliances(e.g., firewalls, intrusion prevention, advanced threat detection,etc.). In this traditional view, mobile users utilize a Virtual PrivateNetwork (VPN), etc. and have their traffic backhauled into thewell-defined perimeter. This worked when mobile users represented asmall fraction of the users, i.e., most users were within thewell-defined perimeter. However, this is no longer the case—thedefinition of the workplace is no longer confined to within thewell-defined perimeter, and with applications moving to the cloud, theperimeter has extended to the Internet. This results in an increasedrisk for the enterprise data residing on unsecured and unmanaged devicesas well as the security risks in access to the Internet. Cloud-basedsecurity solutions have emerged, such as Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA)and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), available from Zscaler, Inc., theapplicant and assignee of the present application.

ZPA is a cloud service that provides seamless, zero trust access toprivate applications running on the public cloud, within the datacenter, within an enterprise network, etc. As described herein, ZPA isreferred to as zero trust access to private applications or simply azero trust access service. Here, applications are never exposed to theInternet, making them completely invisible to unauthorized users. Theservice enables the applications to connect to users via inside-outconnectivity versus extending the network to them. Users are neverplaced on the network. This Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) approachsupports both managed and unmanaged devices and any private application(not just web apps).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods utilizing endpointsecurity posture, identification, and remote attestation for restrictingprivate application access. Systems and methods include, responsive to arequest to access an application, wherein the application is in one of apublic cloud, a private cloud, and an enterprise network, and whereinthe user device is remote over the Internet, determining if a user ofthe user device is permitted to access the application; determining aposture of the user device; and allowing access to the application basedon whether the user is permitted to access the application and based onthe posture of the user device.

The steps can include, in response to determining that the user is notpermitted to access the application and/or if the posture fails,notifying the user device the application does not exist, wherein theuser device is prevented from ascertaining an existence of applicationsthat the user device is not permitted to access; and, in response todetermining that the user device is permitted to access the applicationand/or if the posture passes, stitching together connections aconnection between a cloud-based system, the application, and the userdevice and a connection between the cloud system and the application viaa connector to provide access to the application.

The stitching together the connections can include the cloud-basedsystem creating both a connection to the user device and to theapplication to enable the user device and the application tocommunicate. The stitching together the connections can include at leasttwo tunnels between the user device and the application. The posture caninclude whether the user device is executing a specific process andwhether the specific process has a thumbprint that matches. The posturecan include attestation based on a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on theuser device. The posture can include identify attestation based on aTrusted Platform Module (TPM) on the user device. The posture caninclude remote attestation based on measurements using a TrustedPlatform Module (TPM) on the user device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated and described herein withreference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers areused to denote like system components/method steps, as appropriate, andin which:

FIG. 1 is a network diagram of a cloud-based system 100 offeringsecurity as a service.

FIG. 2 is a network diagram of an example implementation of thecloud-based system.

FIG. 3 is a network diagram of the cloud-based system illustrating anapplication on the user devices with users configured to operate throughthe cloud-based system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a server, which may be used in thecloud-based system, in other systems, or standalone.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a user device, which may be used with thecloud-based system or the like.

FIG. 6 is a network diagram of a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)application utilizing the cloud-based system.

FIG. 7 is a network diagram of a VPN architecture for an intelligent,cloud-based global VPN.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a VPN process for an intelligent, cloud-basedglobal VPN.

FIG. 9 is a network diagram illustrating the cloud-based system withprivate applications and data centers connected thereto to providevirtual private access through the cloud-based system.

FIG. 10 is a network diagram of a virtual private access network and aflowchart of a virtual private access process implemented thereon.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are network diagrams of a VPN configuration (FIG. 11)compared to virtual private access (FIG. 12) illustrating thedifferences therein.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are network diagrams of conventional private applicationaccess in the public cloud (FIG. 13) compared to private applications inthe public cloud with virtual private access (FIG. 14).

FIGS. 15 and 16 are network diagrams of conventional contractor/partneraccess (FIG. 15) of applications in the enterprise network compared tocontractor/partner access (FIG. 16) of the applications with virtualprivate access.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are network diagrams of a conventional network setup toshare data between two companies (FIG. 17) such as for Merger andAcquisition (M&A) purposes or the like compared to a network setup usingvirtual private access (FIG. 18).

FIGS. 19 and 20 are screenshots of Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) foradministrator access to the virtual private access with FIG. 19illustrating a GUI of network auto-discovery and FIG. 20 illustrating aGUI for reporting.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a posture check process.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are GUI screenshots for the posture check process ofFIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a process utilizing endpoint security posture,identification, and remote attestation for restricting privateapplication access.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods utilizing endpointsecurity posture, identification, and remote attestation for restrictingprivate application access. Also, systems and methods for cloud-basedvirtual private access of networked applications are described. At ahigh level, the systems and methods dynamically create a connectionthrough a secure tunnel between three entities: an end-point, a cloud,and an on-premises redirection proxy. The connection between the cloudand on-premises proxy is dynamic, on-demand and orchestrated by thecloud. A key feature of the systems and methods is its security at theedge—there is no need to punch any holes in the existing on-premisesfirewall. The redirection proxy inside the enterprise (on premises)“dials out” and connects to the cloud as if too were an end-point. Thison-demand dial-out capability and tunneling authenticated traffic backto the enterprise is a key differentiator of the systems and methods.

The paradigm of the virtual private access systems and methods is togive users network access to get to an application, not to the entirenetwork. If a user is not authorized to get the application, the usershould not be able to even see that it exists, much less access it. Thevirtual private access systems and methods provide a new approach todeliver secure access by decoupling applications from the network,instead providing access with a lightweight software connector, in frontof the applications, an application on the user device, a centralauthority to push policy, and a cloud to stitch the applications and thesoftware connectors together, on a per-user, per-application basis.

With the virtual private access, users can only see the specificapplications allowed by policy. Everything else is “invisible” or “dark”to them. Because the virtual private access separates the applicationfrom the network, the physical location of the application becomesirrelevant—if applications are located in more than one place, the useris automatically directed to the instance that will give them the bestperformance. The virtual private access also dramatically reducesconfiguration complexity, such as policies/firewalls in the datacenters. Enterprises can, for example, move applications to Amazon WebServices or Microsoft Azure, and take advantage of the elasticity of thecloud, making private, internal applications behave just like themarketing leading enterprise applications. Advantageously, there is nohardware to buy or deploy because the virtual private access is aservice offering to users and enterprises.

Example Cloud-Based System Architecture

FIG. 1 is a network diagram of a cloud-based system 100 offeringsecurity as a service. Specifically, the cloud-based system 100 canoffer a Secure Internet and Web Gateway as a service to various users102, as well as other cloud services. In this manner, the cloud-basedsystem 100 is located between the users 102 and the Internet as well asany cloud services 106 (or applications) accessed by the users 102. Assuch, the cloud-based system 100 provides inline monitoring inspectingtraffic between the users 102, the Internet 104, and the cloud services106, including Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) traffic. The cloud-basedsystem 100 can offer access control, threat prevention, data protection,etc. The access control can include a cloud-based firewall, cloud-basedintrusion detection, Uniform Resource Locator (URL) filtering, bandwidthcontrol, Domain Name System (DNS) filtering, etc. The threat preventioncan include cloud-based intrusion prevention, protection againstadvanced threats (malware, spam, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), phishing,etc.), cloud-based sandbox, antivirus, DNS security, etc. The dataprotection can include Data Loss Prevention (DLP), cloud applicationsecurity such as via a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), file typecontrol, etc.

The cloud-based firewall can provide Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) andaccess controls across various ports and protocols as well as beingapplication and user aware. The URL filtering can block, allow, or limitwebsite access based on policy for a user, group of users, or entireorganization, including specific destinations or categories of URLs(e.g., gambling, social media, etc.). The bandwidth control can enforcebandwidth policies and prioritize critical applications such as relativeto recreational traffic. DNS filtering can control and block DNSrequests against known and malicious destinations.

The cloud-based intrusion prevention and advanced threat protection candeliver full threat protection against malicious content such as browserexploits, scripts, identified botnets and malware callbacks, etc. Thecloud-based sandbox can block zero-day exploits (just identified) byanalyzing unknown files for malicious behavior. Advantageously, thecloud-based system 100 is multi-tenant and can service a large volume ofthe users 102. As such, newly discovered threats can be promulgatedthroughout the cloud-based system 100 for all tenants practicallyinstantaneously. The antivirus protection can include antivirus,antispyware, antimalware, etc. protection for the users 102, usingsignatures sourced and constantly updated. The DNS security can identifyand route command-and-control connections to threat detection enginesfor full content inspection.

The DLP can use standard and/or custom dictionaries to continuouslymonitor the users 102, including compressed and/or SSL-encryptedtraffic. Again, being in a cloud implementation, the cloud-based system100 can scale this monitoring with near-zero latency on the users 102.The cloud application security can include CASB functionality todiscover and control user access to known and unknown cloud services106. The file type controls enable true file type control by the user,location, destination, etc. to determine which files are allowed or not.

For illustration purposes, the users 102 of the cloud-based system 100can include a mobile device 110, a headquarters (HQ) 112 which caninclude or connect to a data center (DC) 114, Internet of Things (IoT)devices 116, a branch office/remote location 118, etc., and eachincludes one or more user devices (an example user device 300 isillustrated in FIG. 5). The devices 110, 116, and the locations 112,114, 118 are shown for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in theart will recognize there are various access scenarios and other users102 for the cloud-based system 100, all of which are contemplatedherein. The users 102 can be associated with a tenant, which may includean enterprise, a corporation, an organization, etc. That is, a tenant isa group of users who share a common access with specific privileges tothe cloud-based system 100, a cloud service, etc. In an embodiment, theheadquarters 112 can include an enterprise's network with resources inthe data center 114. The mobile device 110 can be a so-called roadwarrior, i.e., users that are off-site, on-the-road, etc. Those skilledin the art will recognize a user 102 has to use a corresponding userdevice 300 for accessing the cloud-based system 100 and the like, andthe description herein may use the user 102 and/or the user device 300interchangeably.

Further, the cloud-based system 100 can be multi-tenant, with eachtenant having its own users 102 and configuration, policy, rules, etc.One advantage of the multi-tenancy and a large volume of users is thezero-day/zero-hour protection in that a new vulnerability can bedetected and then instantly remediated across the entire cloud-basedsystem 100. The same applies to policy, rule, configuration, etc.changes—they are instantly remediated across the entire cloud-basedsystem 100. As well, new features in the cloud-based system 100 can alsobe rolled up simultaneously across the user base, as opposed toselective and time-consuming upgrades on every device at the locations112, 114, 118, and the devices 110, 116.

Logically, the cloud-based system 100 can be viewed as an overlaynetwork between users (at the locations 112, 114, 118, and the devices110, 116) and the Internet 104 and the cloud services 106. Previously,the IT deployment model included enterprise resources and applicationsstored within the data center 114 (i.e., physical devices) behind afirewall (perimeter), accessible by employees, partners, contractors,etc. on-site or remote via Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), etc. Thecloud-based system 100 is replacing the conventional deployment model.The cloud-based system 100 can be used to implement these services inthe cloud without requiring the physical devices and management thereofby enterprise IT administrators. As an ever-present overlay network, thecloud-based system 100 can provide the same functions as the physicaldevices and/or appliances regardless of geography or location of theusers 102, as well as independent of platform, operating system, networkaccess technique, network access provider, etc.

There are various techniques to forward traffic between the users 102 atthe locations 112, 114, 118, and via the devices 110, 116, and thecloud-based system 100. Typically, the locations 112, 114, 118 can usetunneling where all traffic is forward through the cloud-based system100. For example, various tunneling protocols are contemplated, such asGeneric Routing Encapsulation (GRE), Layer Two Tunneling Protocol(L2TP), Internet Protocol (IP) Security (IPsec), customized tunnelingprotocols, etc. The devices 110, 116, when not at one of the locations112, 114, 118 can use a local application that forwards traffic, a proxysuch as via a Proxy Auto-Config (PAC) file, and the like. An applicationof the local application is the application 350 described in detailherein as a connector application. A key aspect of the cloud-basedsystem 100 is all traffic between the users 102 and the Internet 104 orthe cloud services 106 is via the cloud-based system 100. As such, thecloud-based system 100 has visibility to enable various functions, allof which are performed off the user device in the cloud.

The cloud-based system 100 can also include a management system 120 fortenant access to provide global policy and configuration as well asreal-time analytics. This enables IT administrators to have a unifiedview of user activity, threat intelligence, application usage, etc. Forexample, IT administrators can drill-down to a per-user level tounderstand events and correlate threats, to identify compromiseddevices, to have application visibility, and the like. The cloud-basedsystem 100 can further include connectivity to an Identity Provider(IDP) 122 for authentication of the users 102 and to a SecurityInformation and Event Management (SIEM) system 124 for event logging.The system 124 can provide alert and activity logs on a per-user 102basis.

FIG. 2 is a network diagram of an example implementation of thecloud-based system 100. In an embodiment, the cloud-based system 100includes a plurality of enforcement nodes (EN) 150, labeled asenforcement nodes 150-1, 150-2, 150-N, interconnected to one another andinterconnected to a central authority (CA) 152. The nodes 150 and thecentral authority 152, while described as nodes, can include one or moreservers, including physical servers, virtual machines (VM) executed onphysical hardware, etc. An example of a server is illustrated in FIG. 4.The cloud-based system 100 further includes a log router 154 thatconnects to a storage cluster 156 for supporting log maintenance fromthe enforcement nodes 150. The central authority 152 provide centralizedpolicy, real-time threat updates, etc. and coordinates the distributionof this data between the enforcement nodes 150. The enforcement nodes150 provide an onramp to the users 102 and are configured to executepolicy, based on the central authority 152, for each user 102. Theenforcement nodes 150 can be geographically distributed, and the policyfor each user 102 follows that user 102 as he or she connects to thenearest (or other criteria) enforcement node 150. Of note, thecloud-based system is an external system meaning it is separate fromtenant's private networks (enterprise networks) as well as from networksassociated with the devices 110, 116, and locations 112, 118.

The enforcement nodes 150 are full-featured secure internet gatewaysthat provide integrated internet security. They inspect all web trafficbi-directionally for malware and enforce security, compliance, andfirewall policies, as described herein, as well as various additionalfunctionality. In an embodiment, each enforcement node 150 has two mainmodules for inspecting traffic and applying policies: a web module and afirewall module. The enforcement nodes 150 are deployed around the worldand can handle hundreds of thousands of concurrent users with millionsof concurrent sessions. Because of this, regardless of where the users102 are, they can access the Internet 104 from any device, and theenforcement nodes 150 protect the traffic and apply corporate policies.The enforcement nodes 150 can implement various inspection enginestherein, and optionally, send sandboxing to another system. Theenforcement nodes 150 include significant fault tolerance capabilities,such as deployment in active-active mode to ensure availability andredundancy as well as continuous monitoring.

In an embodiment, customer traffic is not passed to any other componentwithin the cloud-based system 100, and the enforcement nodes 150 can beconfigured never to store any data to disk. Packet data is held inmemory for inspection and then, based on policy, is either forwarded ordropped. Log data generated for every transaction is compressed,tokenized, and exported over secure Transport Layer Security (TLS)connections to the log routers 154 that direct the logs to the storagecluster 156, hosted in the appropriate geographical region, for eachorganization. In an embodiment, all data destined for or received fromthe Internet is processed through one of the enforcement nodes 150. Inanother embodiment, specific data specified by each tenant, e.g., onlyemail, only executable files, etc., is processed through one of theenforcement nodes 150.

Each of the enforcement nodes 150 may generate a decision vector D=[d1,d2, . . . , dn] for a content item of one or more parts C=[c1, c2, . . ., cm]. Each decision vector may identify a threat classification, e.g.,clean, spyware, malware, undesirable content, innocuous, spam email,unknown, etc. For example, the output of each element of the decisionvector D may be based on the output of one or more data inspectionengines. In an embodiment, the threat classification may be reduced to asubset of categories, e.g., violating, non-violating, neutral, unknown.Based on the subset classification, the enforcement node 150 may allowthe distribution of the content item, preclude distribution of thecontent item, allow distribution of the content item after a cleaningprocess, or perform threat detection on the content item. In anembodiment, the actions taken by one of the enforcement nodes 150 may bedeterminative on the threat classification of the content item and on asecurity policy of the tenant to which the content item is being sentfrom or from which the content item is being requested by. A contentitem is violating if, for any part C=[c1, c2, . . . , cm] of the contentitem, at any of the enforcement nodes 150, any one of the datainspection engines generates an output that results in a classificationof “violating.”

The central authority 152 hosts all customer (tenant) policy andconfiguration settings. It monitors the cloud and provides a centrallocation for software and database updates and threat intelligence.Given the multi-tenant architecture, the central authority 152 isredundant and backed up in multiple different data centers. Theenforcement nodes 150 establish persistent connections to the centralauthority 152 to download all policy configurations. When a new userconnects to an enforcement node 150, a policy request is sent to thecentral authority 152 through this connection. The central authority 152then calculates the policies that apply to that user 102 and sends thepolicy to the enforcement node 150 as a highly compressed bitmap.

The policy can be tenant-specific and can include access privileges forusers, websites and/or content that is disallowed, restricted domains,DLP dictionaries, etc. Once downloaded, a tenant's policy is cacheduntil a policy change is made in the management system 120. The policycan be tenant-specific and can include access privileges for users,websites and/or content that is disallowed, restricted domains, DLPdictionaries, etc. When this happens, all of the cached policies arepurged, and the enforcement nodes 150 request the new policy when theuser 102 next makes a request. In an embodiment, the enforcement node150 exchange “heartbeats” periodically, so all enforcement nodes 150 areinformed when there is a policy change. Any enforcement node 150 canthen pull the change in policy when it sees a new request.

The cloud-based system 100 can be a private cloud, a public cloud, acombination of a private cloud and a public cloud (hybrid cloud), or thelike. Cloud computing systems and methods abstract away physicalservers, storage, networking, etc., and instead offer these as on-demandand elastic resources. The National Institute of Standards andTechnology (NIST) provides a concise and specific definition whichstates cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demandnetwork access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources(e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orservice provider interaction. Cloud computing differs from the classicclient-server model by providing applications from a server that areexecuted and managed by a client's web browser or the like, with noinstalled client version of an application required. Centralizationgives cloud service providers complete control over the versions of thebrowser-based and other applications provided to clients, which removesthe need for version upgrades or license management on individual clientcomputing devices. The phrase “Software as a Service” (SaaS) issometimes used to describe application programs offered through cloudcomputing. A common shorthand for a provided cloud computing service (oreven an aggregation of all existing cloud services) is “the cloud.” Thecloud-based system 100 is illustrated herein as an example embodiment ofa cloud-based system, and other implementations are also contemplated.

As described herein, the terms cloud services and cloud applications maybe used interchangeably. The cloud service 106 is any service madeavailable to users on-demand via the Internet, as opposed to beingprovided from a company's on-premises servers. A cloud application, orcloud app, is a software program where cloud-based and local componentswork together. The cloud-based system 100 can be utilized to provideexample cloud services, including Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA), ZscalerPrivate Access (ZPA), and Zscaler Digital Experience (ZDX), all fromZscaler, Inc. (the assignee and applicant of the present application).Also, there can be multiple different cloud-based systems 100, includingones with different architectures and multiple cloud services. The ZIAservice can provide the access control, threat prevention, and dataprotection described above with reference to the cloud-based system 100.ZPA can include access control, microservice segmentation, etc. The ZDXservice can provide monitoring of user experience, e.g., Quality ofExperience (QoE), Quality of Service (QoS), etc., in a manner that cangain insights based on continuous, inline monitoring. For example, theZIA service can provide a user with Internet Access, and the ZPA servicecan provide a user with access to enterprise resources instead oftraditional Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), namely ZPA provides ZeroTrust Network Access (ZTNA). Those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize various other types of cloud services 106 are alsocontemplated. Also, other types of cloud architectures are alsocontemplated, with the cloud-based system 100 presented for illustrationpurposes.

User Device Application for Traffic Forwarding and Monitoring

FIG. 3 is a network diagram of the cloud-based system 100 illustratingan application 350 on user devices 300 with users 102 configured tooperate through the cloud-based system 100. Different types of userdevices 300 are proliferating, including Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) aswell as IT-managed devices. The conventional approach for a user device300 to operate with the cloud-based system 100 as well as for accessingenterprise resources includes complex policies, VPNs, poor userexperience, etc. The application 350 can automatically forward usertraffic with the cloud-based system 100 as well as ensuring thatsecurity and access policies are enforced, regardless of device,location, operating system, or application. The application 350automatically determines if a user 102 is looking to access the openInternet 104, a SaaS app, or an internal app running in public, private,or the datacenter and routes mobile traffic through the cloud-basedsystem 100. The application 350 can support various cloud services,including ZIA, ZPA, ZDX, etc., allowing the best in class security withzero trust access to internal apps. As described herein, the application350 can also be referred to as a connector application.

The application 350 is configured to auto-route traffic for seamlessuser experience. This can be protocol as well as application-specific,and the application 350 can route traffic with a nearest or best fitenforcement node 150. Further, the application 350 can detect trustednetworks, allowed applications, etc. and support secure network access.The application 350 can also support the enrollment of the user device300 prior to accessing applications. The application 350 can uniquelydetect the users 102 based on fingerprinting the user device 300, usingcriteria like device model, platform, operating system, etc. Theapplication 350 can support Mobile Device Management (MDM) functions,allowing IT personnel to deploy and manage the user devices 300seamlessly. This can also include the automatic installation of clientand SSL certificates during enrollment. Finally, the application 350provides visibility into device and app usage of the user 102 of theuser device 300.

The application 350 supports a secure, lightweight tunnel between theuser device 300 and the cloud-based system 100. For example, thelightweight tunnel can be HTTP-based. With the application 350, there isno requirement for PAC files, an IPSec VPN, authentication cookies, oruser 102 setup.

Example Server Architecture

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a server 200, which may be used in thecloud-based system 100, in other systems, or standalone. For example,the enforcement nodes 150 and the central authority 152 may be formed asone or more of the servers 200. The server 200 may be a digital computerthat, in terms of hardware architecture, generally includes a processor202, input/output (I/O) interfaces 204, a network interface 206, a datastore 208, and memory 210. It should be appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art that FIG. 4 depicts the server 200 in an oversimplifiedmanner, and a practical embodiment may include additional components andsuitably configured processing logic to support known or conventionaloperating features that are not described in detail herein. Thecomponents (202, 204, 206, 208, and 210) are communicatively coupled viaa local interface 212. The local interface 212 may be, for example, butnot limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wirelessconnections, as is known in the art. The local interface 212 may haveadditional elements, which are omitted for simplicity, such ascontrollers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, amongmany others, to enable communications. Further, the local interface 212may include address, control, and/or data connections to enableappropriate communications among the aforementioned components.

The processor 202 is a hardware device for executing softwareinstructions. The processor 202 may be any custom made or commerciallyavailable processor, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an auxiliaryprocessor among several processors associated with the server 200, asemiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip orchipset), or generally any device for executing software instructions.When the server 200 is in operation, the processor 202 is configured toexecute software stored within the memory 210, to communicate data toand from the memory 210, and to generally control operations of theserver 200 pursuant to the software instructions. The I/O interfaces 204may be used to receive user input from and/or for providing systemoutput to one or more devices or components.

The network interface 206 may be used to enable the server 200 tocommunicate on a network, such as the Internet 104. The networkinterface 206 may include, for example, an Ethernet card or adapter or aWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) card or adapter. The networkinterface 206 may include address, control, and/or data connections toenable appropriate communications on the network. A data store 208 maybe used to store data. The data store 208 may include any of volatilememory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM,SDRAM, and the like)), nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, harddrive, tape, CDROM, and the like), and combinations thereof.

Moreover, the data store 208 may incorporate electronic, magnetic,optical, and/or other types of storage media. In one example, the datastore 208 may be located internal to the server 200, such as, forexample, an internal hard drive connected to the local interface 212 inthe server 200. Additionally, in another embodiment, the data store 208may be located external to the server 200 such as, for example, anexternal hard drive connected to the I/O interfaces 204 (e.g., SCSI orUSB connection). In a further embodiment, the data store 208 may beconnected to the server 200 through a network, such as, for example, anetwork-attached file server.

The memory 210 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g., randomaccess memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)), nonvolatilememory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.), andcombinations thereof. Moreover, the memory 210 may incorporateelectronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Notethat the memory 210 may have a distributed architecture, where variouscomponents are situated remotely from one another but can be accessed bythe processor 202. The software in memory 210 may include one or moresoftware programs, each of which includes an ordered listing ofexecutable instructions for implementing logical functions. The softwarein the memory 210 includes a suitable Operating System (O/S) 214 and oneor more programs 216. The operating system 214 essentially controls theexecution of other computer programs, such as the one or more programs216, and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and datamanagement, memory management, and communication control and relatedservices. The one or more programs 216 may be configured to implementthe various processes, algorithms, methods, techniques, etc. describedherein.

Example User Device Architecture

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a user device 300, which may be used withthe cloud-based system 100 or the like. Specifically, the user device300 can form a device used by one of the users 102, and this may includecommon devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, netbooks, personaldigital assistants, MP3 players, cell phones, e-book readers, IoTdevices, servers, desktops, printers, televisions, streaming mediadevices, and the like. The user device 300 can be a digital device that,in terms of hardware architecture, generally includes a processor 302,I/O interfaces 304, a network interface 306, a data store 308, andmemory 310. It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in theart that FIG. 5 depicts the user device 300 in an oversimplified manner,and a practical embodiment may include additional components andsuitably configured processing logic to support known or conventionaloperating features that are not described in detail herein. Thecomponents (302, 304, 306, 308, and 302) are communicatively coupled viaa local interface 312. The local interface 312 can be, for example, butnot limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wirelessconnections, as is known in the art. The local interface 312 can haveadditional elements, which are omitted for simplicity, such ascontrollers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, amongmany others, to enable communications. Further, the local interface 312may include address, control, and/or data connections to enableappropriate communications among the aforementioned components.

The processor 302 is a hardware device for executing softwareinstructions. The processor 302 can be any custom made or commerciallyavailable processor, a CPU, an auxiliary processor among severalprocessors associated with the user device 300, a semiconductor-basedmicroprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), or generally anydevice for executing software instructions. When the user device 300 isin operation, the processor 302 is configured to execute software storedwithin the memory 310, to communicate data to and from the memory 310,and to generally control operations of the user device 300 pursuant tothe software instructions. In an embodiment, the processor 302 mayinclude a mobile optimized processor such as optimized for powerconsumption and mobile applications. The I/O interfaces 304 can be usedto receive user input from and/or for providing system output. Userinput can be provided via, for example, a keypad, a touch screen, ascroll ball, a scroll bar, buttons, a barcode scanner, and the like.System output can be provided via a display device such as a LiquidCrystal Display (LCD), touch screen, and the like.

The network interface 306 enables wireless communication to an externalaccess device or network. Any number of suitable wireless datacommunication protocols, techniques, or methodologies can be supportedby the network interface 306, including any protocols for wirelesscommunication. The data store 308 may be used to store data. The datastore 308 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g., randomaccess memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, and the like)),nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, and thelike), and combinations thereof. Moreover, the data store 308 mayincorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storagemedia.

The memory 310 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g., randomaccess memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)), nonvolatilememory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, etc.), and combinations thereof.Moreover, the memory 310 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical,and/or other types of storage media. Note that the memory 310 may have adistributed architecture, where various components are situated remotelyfrom one another but can be accessed by the processor 302. The softwarein memory 310 can include one or more software programs, each of whichincludes an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementinglogical functions. In the example of FIG. 3, the software in the memory310 includes a suitable operating system 314 and programs 316. Theoperating system 314 essentially controls the execution of othercomputer programs and provides scheduling, input-output control, fileand data management, memory management, and communication control andrelated services. The programs 316 may include various applications,add-ons, etc. configured to provide end user functionality with the userdevice 300. For example, example programs 316 may include, but notlimited to, a web browser, social networking applications, streamingmedia applications, games, mapping and location applications, electronicmail applications, financial applications, and the like. In a typicalexample, the end-user typically uses one or more of the programs 316along with a network such as the cloud-based system 100.

Zero Trust Network Access Using the Cloud-Based System

FIG. 6 is a network diagram of a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)application utilizing the cloud-based system 100. For ZTNA, thecloud-based system 100 can dynamically create a connection through asecure tunnel between an endpoint (e.g., users 102A, 102B) that areremote and an on-premises connector 400 that is either located in cloudfile shares and applications 402 and/or in an enterprise network 410that includes enterprise file shares and applications 404. Theconnection between the cloud-based system 100 and on-premises connector400 is dynamic, on-demand, and orchestrated by the cloud-based system100. A key feature is its security at the edge—there is no need to punchany holes in the existing on-premises firewall. The connector 400 insidethe enterprise (on-premises) “dials out” and connects to the cloud-basedsystem 100 as if too were an endpoint. This on-demand dial-outcapability and tunneling authenticated traffic back to the enterprise isa key differentiator for ZTNA. Also, this functionality can beimplemented in part by the application 350 on the user device 300. Also,the applications 402, 404 can include B2B applications. Note, thedifference between the applications 402, 404 is the applications 402 arehosted in the cloud, whereas the applications 404 are hosted on theenterprise network 410. The B2B service described herein contemplatesuse with either or both of the applications 402, 404.

The paradigm of virtual private access systems and methods is to giveusers network access to get to an application and/or file share, not tothe entire network. If a user is not authorized to get the application,the user should not be able even to see that it exists, much less accessit. The virtual private access systems and methods provide an approachto deliver secure access by decoupling applications 402, 404 from thenetwork, instead of providing access with a connector 400, in front ofthe applications 402, 404, an application on the user device 300, acentral authority 152 to push policy, and the cloud-based system 100 tostitch the applications 402, 404 and the software connectors 400together, on a per-user, per-application basis.

With the virtual private access, users can only see the specificapplications 402, 404 allowed by the central authority 152. Everythingelse is “invisible” or “dark” to them. Because the virtual privateaccess separates the application from the network, the physical locationof the application 402, 404 becomes irrelevant—if applications 402, 404are located in more than one place, the user is automatically directedto the instance that will give them the best performance. The virtualprivate access also dramatically reduces configuration complexity, suchas policies/firewalls in the data centers. Enterprises can, for example,move applications to Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure, and takeadvantage of the elasticity of the cloud, making private, internalapplications behave just like the marketing leading enterpriseapplications. Advantageously, there is no hardware to buy or deploybecause the virtual private access is a service offering to end-usersand enterprises.

VPN Architecture

FIG. 7 is a network diagram of a VPN architecture 405 for anintelligent, cloud-based global VPN. For illustration purposes, the VPNarchitecture 405 includes the cloud-based system 100, the Internet 104,the applications 402 in SaaS/public cloud systems, and the enterprisenetwork 410. The VPN architecture 405 also includes a user 102, whichcan include any computing device/platform connecting to the cloud-basedsystem 100, the Internet 104, the applications 402, and the enterprisenetwork 410. The VPN architecture 405 includes a single user 102 forillustration purposes, but those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the VPN architecture 405 contemplates a plurality ofusers 102. The user 102 can be a nomadic user, a regional/branch office,etc. That is, the user 102 can be any user of the enterprise network 410that is physically located outside a firewall 412 associated with theenterprise network 410. The SaaS/public cloud systems can include anysystems containing computing and data assets in the cloud such as, forexample, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Apple iCloud,Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, SCM, Sales managementsystems, etc. The enterprise network 410 includes local computing anddata assets behind the firewall 412 for additional security on highlyconfidential assets or legacy assets not yet migrated to the cloud.

The user 102 needs to access the Internet 104, the SaaS/public cloudsystems for the applications 402, and the enterprise network 410. Again,conventionally, the solution for secure communication, the user 102 hasa VPN connection through the firewall 412 where all data is sent to theenterprise network 410, including data destined for the Internet 104 orthe SaaS/public cloud systems for the applications 402. Furthermore,this VPN connection dials into the enterprise network 410. The systemsand methods described herein provide the VPN architecture 405, whichprovides a secure connection to the enterprise network 410 withoutbringing all traffic, e.g., traffic for the Internet 104 or theSaaS/public cloud systems, into the enterprise network 410 as well asremoving the requirement for the user 102 to dial into the enterprisenetwork 410.

Instead of the user 102 creating a secure connection through thefirewall 412, the user 102 connects securely to a VPN device 420 locatedin the cloud-based system 100 through a secure connection 422. Note, thecloud-based system 100 can include a plurality of VPN devices 420. TheVPN architecture 405 dynamically routes traffic between the user 102 andthe Internet 104, the SaaS/public cloud systems for the applications402, and securely with the enterprise network 410. For secure access tothe enterprise network 410, the VPN architecture 405 includesdynamically creating connections through secure tunnels between threeentities: the VPN device 420, the cloud, and an on-premises redirectionproxy 430. The connection between the cloud-based system 100 and theon-premises redirection proxy 430 is dynamic, on-demand and orchestratedby the cloud-based system 100. A key feature of the systems and methodsis its security at the edge of the cloud-based system 100—there is noneed to punch any holes in the existing on-premises firewall 412. Theon-premises redirection proxy 430 inside the enterprise network 410“dials out” and connects to the cloud-based system 100 as if too were anend-point via secure connections 440, 442. This on-demand dial-outcapability and tunneling authenticated traffic back to the enterprisenetwork 410 is a key differentiator.

The VPN architecture 405 includes the VPN devices 420, the on-premisesredirection proxy 430, a topology controller 450, and an intelligent DNSproxy 460. The VPN devices 420 can be Traffic (VPN) distribution serversand can be part of the cloud-based system 100. In an embodiment, thecloud-based system 100 can be a security cloud such as available fromZscaler, Inc. (www.zscaler.com) performing functions on behalf of everyclient that connects to it: a) allowing/denying access to specificInternet sites/apps—based on security policy and absence/presence ofmalware in those sites, and b) set policies on specific SaaS apps andallowing/denying access to specific employees or groups.

The on-premises redirection proxy 430 is located inside a perimeter ofthe enterprise network 410 (inside the private cloud or inside thecorporate data center—depending on the deployment topology). It isconnected to a local network and acts as a “bridge” between the users102 outside the perimeter and apps that are inside the perimeter throughthe secure connections 440, 442. But, this “bridge” is always closed—itis only open to the users 102 that pass two criteria: a) they must beauthenticated by an enterprise authentication service 470, and b) thesecurity policy in effect allows them access to “cross the bridge.”

When the on-premises redirection proxy 430 starts, it establishes apersistent, long-lived connection 472 to the topology controller 450.The topology controller 450 connects to the on-premises redirectionproxy 430 through a secure connection 472 and to the cloud-based system100 through a secure connection 480. The on-premises redirection proxy430 waits for instruction from the topology controller 450 to establishtunnels to specific VPN termination nodes, i.e., the VPN devices 420, inthe cloud-based system 100. The on-premises redirection proxy 430 ismost expediently realized as custom software running inside a virtualmachine (VM). The topology controller 450, as part of the non-volatiledata for each enterprise, stores the network topology of a privatenetwork of the enterprise network 410, including, but not limited to,the internal domain name(s), subnet(s) and other routing information.

The DNS proxy 460 handles all domain names to Internet Protocol (IP)Address resolution on behalf of endpoints (clients). These endpoints areuser computing devices—such as mobile devices, laptops, tablets, etc.The DNS proxy 460 consults the topology controller 450 to discernpackets that must be sent to the Internet 104, the SaaS/public cloudsystems, vs. the enterprise network 410 private network. This decisionis made by consulting the topology controller 450 for information abouta company's private network and domains. The DNS proxy 460 is connectedto the user 102 through a connection 482 and to the cloud-based system100 through a connection 484.

The VPN device 420 is located in the cloud-based system 100 and can havemultiple points-of-presence around the world. If the cloud-based system100 is a distributed security cloud, the VPN device 420 can be locatedwith enforcement nodes 150. In general, the VPN device 420 can beimplemented as software instances on the enforcement nodes 150, as aseparate virtual machine on the same physical hardware as theenforcement nodes 150, or a separate hardware device such as the server200, but part of the cloud-based system 100. The VPN device 420 is thefirst point of entry for any client wishing to connect to the Internet104, SaaS apps, or the enterprise private network. In addition to doingtraditional functions of a VPN server, the VPN device 420 works inconcert with the topology controller 450 to establish on-demand routesto the on-premises redirection proxy 430. These routes are set up foreach user on demand. When the VPN device 420 determines that a packetfrom the user 102 is destined for the enterprise private network, itencapsulates the packet and sends it via a tunnel between the VPN device420 and the on-premises redirection proxy 430. For packets meant for theInternet 104 or SaaS clouds, the VPN device 420 can forwards it to theenforcement nodes 150—to continue processing as before or send directlyto the Internet 104 or SaaS clouds.

VPN Process

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a VPN process 500 for an intelligent,cloud-based global VPN. The VPN process 500 can be implemented throughthe VPN architecture 405. The VPN process 500 includes the user 102connecting to the cloud-based system 100 through authentication (step510). Once the authentication is complete, a VPN is established betweenthe user 102 and a VPN server in the cloud-based system 100 and DNS forthe user 102 is set to a DNS proxy 460 (step 520). Now, the user 102 hasa secure VPN connection to the cloud-based system 100. Subsequently, theuser 102 sends a request to the cloud-based system 100 via the DNS proxy460 (step 530). Here, the request can be anything—request for theenterprise network 410, the Internet 104, the applications 402 in theSaaS/public cloud systems, the applications 404 in the enterprisenetwork 410, etc. The DNS proxy 460 contacts the topology controller 450with the identity of the user and the request (step 540). That is,whenever the user 102 wishes to reach a destination (Internet, Intranet,SaaS, etc.), it will consult the DNS proxy 460 to obtain the address ofthe destination.

For non-enterprise requests, the cloud-based system 100 forwards therequest per policy (step 550). Here, the cloud-based system 100 canforward the request based on the policy associated with the enterprisenetwork 410 and the user 102. With the identity of the user and theenterprise they belong to, the VPN server will contact the topologycontroller 450 and pre-fetch the enterprise private topology. Forenterprise requests, the topology controller 450 fetches a privatetopology of the enterprise network 410, instructs the redirection proxy430 to establish an outbound tunnel to the VPN server, the redirectionproxy 430 establishes the outbound tunnel, and requests are forwardbetween the user 102 and the enterprise network 410 securely (step 560).Here, the DNS proxy 460 works with the topology controller 450 todetermine the local access in the enterprise network 410, and thetopology controller 450 works with the redirection proxy 430 to dial outa secure connection to the VPN server. The redirection proxy 430establishes an on-demand tunnel to the specific VPN server so that itcan receive packets meant for its internal network.

Global VPN Applications

Advantageously, the systems and methods avoid the conventionalrequirement of VPN tunneling all data into the enterprise network 410and hair-pinning non-enterprise data back out. The systems and methodsalso allow the enterprise network 410 to have remote offices, etc.without requiring large hardware infrastructures—the cloud-based system100 bridges the users 102, remote offices, etc. to the enterprisenetwork 410 in a seamless manner while removing the requirement to bringnon-enterprise data through the enterprise network 410. This recognizesthe shift to mobility in enterprise applications. Also, the VPN tunnelon the user 102 can leverage and use existing VPN clients available onthe user devices 300. The cloud-based system 100, through the VPNarchitecture 405, determines how to route traffic for the user 102efficiently—only enterprise traffic is routed securely to the enterprisenetwork 410. Additionally, the VPN architecture 405 removes theconventional requirement of tunneling into the enterprise network 410,which can be an opportunity for security vulnerabilities. Instead, theredirection proxy 430 dials out of the enterprise network 410.

The systems and methods provide, to the user (enterprise user), asingle, seamless way to connect to Public and Private clouds—with nospecial steps needed to access one vs. the other. To the IT Admin, thesystems and methods provide a single point of control and access for allusers—security policies and rules are enforced at a single global cloudchokepoint—without impacting user convenience/performance or weakeningsecurity.

Virtual Private Access Via the Cloud

FIG. 9 is a network diagram illustrating the cloud-based system 100 withprivate applications 402, 404 and data centers 610 connected thereto toprovide virtual private access through the cloud-based system 100. In anaspect, the virtual private access described herein leverages thecloud-based system 100 to enable various users 102 including remoteusers, contractors, partners, business customers, etc., i.e., anyone whoneeds access to the private applications 402, 404 and the data centers610 access, without granting unfettered access to the internal network,without requiring hardware or appliances, and in a seamless manner fromthe users' 102 perspective. The private applications 402, 404 includeapplications dealing with financial data, personal data, medical data,intellectual property, records, etc., that is the private applications404 can be available on the enterprise network 410, but not availableremotely except conventionally via VPN access. Examples of the privateapplications 402, 404 can include Customer Relationship Management(CRM), sales automation, financial applications, time management,document management, etc. Also, the applications 402, 404 can be B2Bapplications or services as described herein.

The virtual private access is a new technique for the users 102 toaccess the file shares and applications 402, 404, without the cost,hassle or security risk of VPNs, which extend network access to deliverapp access. The virtual private access decouples private internalapplications from the physical network to enable authorized user accessto the file shares and applications 402, 404, without the security riskor complexity of VPNs. That is, virtual private access takes the“Network” out of VPNs.

In the virtual private access, the users 102, the file shares andapplications 402, 404, are communicatively coupled to the cloud-basedsystem 100, such as via the Internet 104 or the like. On theclient-side, at the users 102, the applications 402, 404 provision bothsecure remote access and optionally accessibility to the cloud-basedsystem 100. The application 402, 404 establishes a connection to theclosest enforcement node 150 in the cloud-based system 100 at startupand may not accept incoming requests.

At the file shares and applications 402, 404, the lightweight connectors400 sit in front of the applications 402, 404. The lightweightconnectors 400 become the path to the file shares and applications 402,404 behind it, and connect only to the cloud-based system 100. Thelightweight connectors 400 can be lightweight, ephemeral binary, such asdeployed as a virtual machine, to establish a connection between thefile shares and applications 402, 404 and the cloud-based system 100,such as via the closest enforcement node 150. The lightweight connectors400 do not accept inbound connections of any kind, dramatically reducingthe overall threat surface. The lightweight connectors 400 can beenabled on a standard VMware platform; additional lightweight connectors400 can be created in less than 5 seconds to handle additionalapplication instances. By not accepting inbound connections, thelightweight connectors 400 make the file shares and applications 402,404 “dark,” removing a significant threat vector.

The policy can be established and pushed by policy engines in thecentral authority 152, such as via a distributed cluster of multi-tenantpolicy engines that provide a single interface for all policy creation.Also, no data of any kind transits the policy engines. The enforcementnodes 150 in the security cloud stitch connections together, between theusers 102 and the file shares and applications 402, 404, withoutprocessing traffic of any kind. When the user 102 requests anapplication in the file shares and applications 402, 404, the policyengine delivers connection information to the application 350 andapp-side enforcement nodes 150, which includes the location of a singleenforcement nodes 150 to provision the client/app connection. Theconnection is established through the enforcement nodes 150, and isencrypted with a combination of the customer's client and server-sidecertificates. While the enforcement nodes 150 provision the connection,they do not participate in the key exchange, nor do they have visibilityinto the traffic flows.

Advantageously, the virtual private access provides increased securityin that the file shares and applications 402, 404 are visible only tothe users 102 that are authorized to access them; unauthorized users arenot able to even see them. Because application access is provisionedthrough the cloud-based system 100, rather than via a networkconnection, the virtual private access makes it impossible to route backto applications. The virtual private access is enabled using theapplication 350, without the need to launch or exit VPN clients. Theapplication access just works in the background enablingapplication-specific access to individual contractors, business partnersor other companies, i.e., the users 102.

The virtual private access provides capital expense (CAPEX) andoperating expense (OPEX) reductions as there is no hardware to deploy,configure, or maintain. Legacy VPNs can be phased out. Internal IT canbe devoted to enabling business strategy, rather than maintainingnetwork “plumbing.” Enterprises can move apps to the cloud on theirschedule, without the need to re-architect, set up site-to-site VPNs ordeliver a substandard user experience.

The virtual private access provides easy deployment, i.e., putlightweight connectors 400 in front of the file shares and applications402, 404, wherever they are. The virtual private access willautomatically route to the location that delivers the best performance.Wildcard app deployment will discover applications upon request,regardless of their location, then build granular user access policiesaround them. There is no need for complex firewall rules, NetworkAddress Translation issues or policy juggling to deliver applicationaccess. Further, the virtual private access provides seamlessintegration with existing Single Sign-On (SSO) infrastructure.

FIG. 10 is a network diagram of a virtual private access network 700Aand a flowchart of a virtual private access process 750 implementedthereon. The cloud-based system 100 includes three enforcement nodes150A, 150B, 150C, assume for illustration purposes in San Francisco, NewYork, and London, respectively. The user 102 has the application 350executing on the user device 300, which is communicatively coupled tothe enforcement node 150A. The enterprise file share and application402, 404 is communicatively coupled to the enforcement node 150C. Note,there can be direct connectivity between the enforcement nodes 150A,150C, the enforcement nodes 150A, 150C can connect through theenforcement node 150B, or both the user 102 and the enterprise fileshare and application 402, 404 can be connected to the same node 150.That is, the architecture of the cloud-based system 100 can includevarious implementations.

The virtual private access process 750 is described with reference toboth the user 102, the cloud-based system 100, and the enterprise fileshare and application 402, 404. First, the user 102 is executing theapplication 350 on the user device 300, in the background. The user 102launches the application 350 and can be redirected to an enterprise IDprovider or the like to sign on, i.e., a single sign on, without settingup new accounts. Once authenticated, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)certificate 720 enrollment occurs, between the user 102 and theenforcement node 150A. With the application 350 executing on the userdevice, the user 102 makes a request to the enterprise file share andapplication 402, 404, e.g., intranet.company.com, crm.company.com, etc.(step 752). Note, the request is not limited to web applications and caninclude anything such as a remote desktop or anything handling anystatic Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or User Datagram Protocol(UDP) applications.

This request is intercepted by the enforcement node 150A and redirectedto the central authority 152, which performs a policy lookup for theuser 102 and the user device 300 (step 754), transparent to the user102. The central authority 152 determines if the user 102 and the userdevice 300 are authorized for the enterprise file share and application402, 404. Once authorization is determined, the central authority 152provides information to the enforcement nodes 150A, 150B, 150C, theapplication 350, and the lightweight connectors 400 at the enterprisefile share and application 402, 404, and the information can include thecertificates 720 and other details necessary to stitch secureconnections between the various devices. Specifically, the centralauthority 152 can create connection information with the bestenforcement nodes 150 for joint connections, from the user 102 to theenterprise file share and application 402, 404, and the unique tokens(step 756). With the connection information, the enforcement node 150Aconnects to the user 102, presenting a token, and the enforcement node150C connects to the lightweight connector 400, presenting a token (step758). Now, a connection is stitched between the user 102 to theenterprise file share and application 402, 404, through the application350, the enforcement nodes 150A, 150B, 150C, and the lightweightconnector 400.

Comparison—VPN with Virtual Private Access

FIGS. 11 and 12 are network diagrams of a VPN configuration (FIG. 11)compared to virtual private access (FIG. 12) illustrating thedifferences therein. In FIG. 11, a user device 300 connects to a VPNtermination device 804 associated with an enterprise network 806 via theInternet 104, such that the user device 300 is on the enterprise network806, where associated applications reside. Of course, any malware on theuser device 300 or anyone that steals the user device 300 is also on theenterprise network 806. The VPN termination device 804 creates aDistributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack surface, adds infrastructurecost and creates network complexity as applications grow. Conversely, inFIG. 12, the user device 300 uses the virtual private access via thecloud-based system 100 to connect to the lightweight connector 400associated with a specific application 404. The virtual private accessprovides granular access by the user device 300 and the application, andthe user device 300 is not on the enterprise network 806. Thus, theapplication is never directly exposed to the user device 300, thesecurity cloud handles provisioning, and the traffic remains completelyprivate.

Comparison—Private Applications in the Public Cloud

FIGS. 13 and 14 are network diagrams of conventional private applicationaccess in the public cloud (FIG. 13) compared to private application inthe public cloud with virtual private access (FIG. 14). In FIG. 13, theuser device 300 still has to connect to the enterprise network 806 viathe VPN termination device 804 as in FIG. 11, and the cloudapplications, such as in the data center 610, are accessible via theenterprise network 806 via a site-to-site VPN between the enterprisenetwork 806 and the data center 610. Disadvantageously, the userexperience is eroded for the user device 300 and agility is hampered forthe enterprise by networking concerns and capability. In FIG. 14, thevirtual private access abstracts the application 402, in the data center610, from the IP address, so location is irrelevant. The enterprise canmove private applications to the cloud securely, as needed.

Comparison—Contractor/Private Application Access

FIGS. 15 and 16 are network diagrams of conventional contractor/partneraccess (FIG. 15) of applications in the enterprise network 806 comparedto contractor/partner access (FIG. 16) of the applications with virtualprivate access. Contractor/partner access includes providing thirdparties access to applications on the enterprise network 806, for avariety of purposes. In FIG. 15, similar to FIGS. 11 and 13,contractor/partner access includes VPN connections to the VPNtermination device 804, providing contractor/partners 820 full access tothe enterprise network 806, not just the specific application or assetthat they require. Unfortunately, stolen credentials can allow hackersto get into networks or to map assets for later assault. In FIG. 16, thevirtual private access, using the cloud-based system 100, allows accessspecific to applications or assets as needed by the contractor/partners820, via the lightweight connector 400. Thus, the contractor/partners820 do not have full network access, the access is specific to eachuser, and the connections are provisioned dynamically, avoiding a directnetwork connection that can be misused or exploited.

Comparison—Example Application—M&A Data Access

FIGS. 17 and 18 are network diagrams of a conventional network setup toshare data between two companies (FIG. 17) such as for Merger andAcquisition (M&A) purposes or the like, compared to a network setupusing virtual private access (FIG. 18). Conventionally, the twocompanies provide VPN connections between their associated enterprisenetworks 806A, 806B to one another. Each company gets “all ornothing”—no per-application granularity. Disadvantageously, creatingAccess Control Lists (ACLs)/firewall rules and NATting through eachcompanies' respective firewalls is very complex, particularly withoverlapping internal IP addressing. In FIG. 18, the virtual privateaccess allows connections provisioned by the user and device to theapplication by name, not by IP address, authorized users can access onlyspecific applications, not an entire network, and firewall complexitiesdisappear.

Administrative View of Virtual Private Access

FIGS. 19 and 20 are screenshots of Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) foradministrator access to the virtual private access. FIG. 19 illustratesa GUI of network auto-discovery and FIG. 20 illustrates a GUI forreporting. For network and application discovery, the virtual privateaccess can use wildcard application discovery where a Domain/name-basedquery to the lightweight connector 400 will show company applicationsbehind them. This allows the discovery of internal applications as usersrequest them using “*.company.com” to find applications. Then, thegranular policy can be built around the applications to dramaticallysimply startup. Further, the virtual private access can show thelocation of users that are accessing private/internal applications,including identifying anomalous access patterns to assist in stoppingpossible data leakage or compliance violation.

Virtual Private Access

In an embodiment, a virtual private access method implemented by acloud-based system, includes receiving a request to access resourcesfrom a user device, wherein the resources are located in one of a publiccloud and an enterprise network and the user device is remote therefromon the Internet; forwarding the request to a central authority for apolicy look up and for a determination of connection information to makean associated secure connection through the cloud-based system to theresources; receiving the connection information from the centralauthority responsive to an authorized policy look up; and creatingsecure tunnels between the user device and the resources based on theconnection information. Prior to the receiving, a user executes anapplication on the user device, provides authentication, and providesthe request with the application operating on the user device. Theapplication can be configured to connect the user device to thecloud-based system, via an optimized cloud node based on a location ofthe user device. The resources can be communicatively coupled to alightweight connector operating on a computer and communicativelycoupled between the resources and the cloud-based system. The virtualprivate access method can further include detecting the resources basedon a query to the lightweight connector. The lightweight connector canbe prevented from accepting inbound connections, thereby preventingaccess of the resources external from the public cloud or the enterprisenetwork. The creating secure tunnels can include creating connectionsbetween one or more cloud nodes in the cloud-based system, wherein theone or more cloud nodes do not participate in a key exchange, and theone or more cloud nodes do not have data access to traffic on the securetunnels. The creating secure tunnels can include creating connectionsbetween one or more cloud nodes in the cloud-based system, wherein theone or more cloud nodes create the secure tunnels based on a combinationof a client-side certificate and a server-side certificate. The securetunnels can be created through software on the user device, thecloud-based system, and a lightweight connector operating on a computerassociated with the resources, thereby eliminating dedicated hardwarefor virtual private network connections.

In another embodiment, a cloud-based system adapted to implement virtualprivate access includes one or more cloud nodes communicatively coupledto one another; wherein each of the one or more cloud nodes includes oneor more processors and memory storing instructions that, when executed,cause the one or more processors to receive a request to accessresources from a user device, wherein the resources are located in oneof a public cloud and an enterprise network and the user device isremote therefrom on the Internet; forward the request to a centralauthority for a policy look up and for a determination of connectioninformation to make an associated secure connection through thecloud-based system to the resources; receive the connection informationfrom the central authority responsive to an authorized policy look up;and create secure tunnels between the user device and the resourcesbased on the connection information. Prior to reception of the request,a user executes an application on the user device, providesauthentication, and provides the request with the application operatingon the user device. The application can be configured to connect theuser device to the cloud-based system, via an optimized cloud node basedon a location of the user device. The resources can be communicativelycoupled to a lightweight connector operating on a computer andcommunicatively coupled between the resources and the cloud-basedsystem. The memory storing instructions that, when executed, can furthercause the one or more processors to detect the resources based on aquery to the lightweight connector. The lightweight connector can beprevented from accepting inbound connections, thereby preventing accessof the resources external from the public cloud or the enterprisenetwork. The secure tunnels can be created through connections betweenone or more cloud nodes in the cloud-based system, wherein the one ormore cloud nodes do not participate in a key exchange, and the one ormore cloud nodes do not have data access to traffic on the securetunnels. The secure tunnels can be created through connections betweenone or more cloud nodes in the cloud-based system, wherein the one ormore cloud nodes create the secure tunnels based on a combination of aclient-side certificate and a server-side certificate. The securetunnels can be created through software on the user device, thecloud-based system, and a lightweight connector operating on a computerassociated with the resources, thereby eliminating dedicated hardwarefor virtual private network connections.

Software stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium includinginstructions executable by a system, which in response to such executioncauses the system to perform operations including receiving a request toaccess resources from a user device, wherein the resources are locatedin one of a public cloud and an enterprise network and the user deviceis remote therefrom on the Internet; forwarding the request to a centralauthority for a policy look up and for a determination of connectioninformation to make an associated secure connection through thecloud-based system to the resources; receiving the connectioninformation from the central authority responsive to an authorizedpolicy look up; and creating secure tunnels between the user device andthe resources based on the connection information. The resources can becommunicatively coupled to a lightweight connector operating on acomputer and communicatively coupled between the resources and thecloud-based system, and wherein the instructions executable by thesystem, which in response to such execution can further cause the systemto perform operations including detecting the resources based on a queryto the lightweight connector.

VPN in the Cloud

In an embodiment, a method includes connecting to a client at a VirtualPrivate Network (VPN) device in a cloud-based system; forwardingrequests from the client for the Internet or public clouds accordingly;and for requests for an enterprise associated with the client,contacting a topology controller to fetch a topology of the enterprise,causing a tunnel to be established from the enterprise to the VPNdevice, and forwarding the requests for the enterprise through thetunnel to the cloud-based system for proactive monitoring; and providinga secure connection from the cloud-based system back to the enterprise,including internal domain and subnets associated with the enterprise.The method can further include authenticating, via an authenticationserver, the client prior to the connecting and associated the clientwith the enterprise. The method can further include, subsequent to theconnecting, setting a Domain Name Server (DNS) associated with thecloud-based system to provide DNS lookups for the client. The method canfurther include utilizing the DNS to determine a destination of therequests; and, for the requests for the enterprise, contacting thetopology controller to pre-fetch the topology of the enterprise. Themethod can further include operating an on-premises redirection proxywithin the enterprise, wherein the on-premises redirection proxy isconfigured to establish the tunnel from the enterprise to the VPNdevice. Secure tunnels to the enterprise are dialed out from theenterprise by the on-premises redirection proxy. The on-premisesredirection proxy is a virtual machine operating behind a firewallassociated with the enterprise. The on-premises redirection proxy isconfigured as a bridge between the client and applications inside theenterprise. The VPN device operates on a cloud node in the cloud-basedsystem, and wherein the cloud-based system includes a distributedsecurity cloud. The VPN device can include one of a software instance ona cloud node or a virtual machine on the cloud node. The topologycontroller includes a network topology of the enterprise, includinginternal domain names and subnets.

In another embodiment, a cloud-based system includes one or more VirtualPrivate Network (VPN) servers, wherein one or more clients connectsecurely to the one or more VPN servers; a topology controllercommunicatively coupled to the one or more VPN servers; a Domain NameServer (DNS) communicatively coupled to the topology controller and theone or more VPN servers; and a redirection proxy located in a privatenetwork and communicatively coupled to the one or more VPN servers andthe topology controller; wherein requests from the one or more clientsto the private network cause on demand secure connections beingestablished by the redirection proxy to associated VPN servers in acloud-based system, wherein the on demand secure connections provideconnectivity to the private network including internal domain andsubnets associated with the private network, and wherein the cloud-basedsystem performs proactive monitoring. Requests from the one or moreclients outside of the private network are forwarded without traversingthe private network. The redirection proxy maintains a persistentconnection to the topology controller and establishes secure tunnels tothe one or more VPN servers based on direction from the topologycontroller. The topology controller includes a network topology of theprivate network, including internal domain names and subnets. The VPNservers operate on cloud nodes in a distributed security cloud.

In yet another embodiment, a VPN system includes a network interface, adata store, and a processor, each communicatively coupled together; andmemory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor toestablish a secure tunnel with a client; forward requests from theclient to the Internet accordingly; and for requests to an enterprise,contact a topology controller to fetch a topology of the enterprise,cause a tunnel to be established from the enterprise to the VPN system,and forwarding the requests for the enterprise through the tunnel andthe secure tunnel, wherein the secure tunnel is achieved by using anon-demand dial-out and tunneling traffic authentication. The memorystoring instructions that, when executed, further cause the processor tocause the tunnel to be established from the enterprise to the VPN systemthrough an on premises redirection proxy located within the enterprise.

Browser Isolation

Browser (web) isolation is a technique where a user's browser or appsare physically isolated away from the user device, the local network,etc. thereby removing the risks of malicious code, malware,cyberattacks, etc. This has been shown to be an effective technique forenterprises to reduce attacks. Techniques for browser isolation aredescribed in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/702,889, filed Dec. 4, 2019, and entitled “Cloud-based web contentprocessing system providing client threat isolation and data integrity,”the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.Traditionally browser isolation was focused on removing the risks ofmalicious code, malware, cyberattacks, etc. U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/702,889 describes an additional use case of preventing dataexfiltration. That is, because no data is delivered to the local system(e.g., to be processed by web content through the local web browser),none of the confidential or otherwise sensitive data can be retained onthe local system.

The secure access can interoperate with browser isolation through thecloud-based system 100, to prevent data exfiltration, which is extremelycritical as this is customer-facing data which adds to the sensitivityand liability, and also accessible to external users (customers). Thisfunctionality forces customers to interact with the B2B applications viaan isolated, contained environment.

Process Check and Endpoint Secure Vendor Posture

This approach enables a tenant to govern access to the applications 402,404 based on the presence of a process and the signature of that processon the user device 300. This is based on looking for a thumbprint thatshould match the signer of an executable. Using this, one can ensurethat a specific, authorized process is running on the user device 300and that it is the real process because it is signed by a specificsigner. This approach for a posture check can be used as a cookie cuttertemplate for endpoint security vendors, e.g., if a customer wants tocheck for the presence of Crowdstrike or the like, the processexecutable and signature can be hardcoded in the console. This can berepeated for any other vendor by leveraging the same code.

This is motivated by tenants (companies) wanting to ensure that theirdevices 300 are running their corporate security suite before grantingaccess to sensitive applications. By using the process check posturecheck, it is possible to ensure that a machine (user device 300) has allof the needed applications running on it before granting access to aZTNA app, such as via the connector 400.

Some example use cases can include where a customer has an internalapplication, ‘process.exe’. They want to ensure this is running on theuser device 300 before allowing the user 102 access to certainapplications 402, 404. The administrator wants to configure a postureprofile to look for the process name “process.exe”. Additionally, theywill enter the thumbprint of the certificate that signed the executable,e.g., 92c1588e85af2e8538b492201ce7915f6080c6. They can enter these asfree text, which would allow them to check any process running on themachine and match it to a signer signature. The application 350 willcheck to see if the process is running, and if it is, it will check thesigner certificate and thumbprint for that certificate.

Other use cases can include looking for a specific endpoint securityproduct, such as, e.g., Carbon Black, Crowdstrike, SentinelOne, etc.Here, an administrator could select a pre-defined process name for theexecutable, and the application 350 will check to see if the process isrunning, and if it is it will check the signer certificate andthumbprint for that certificate.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a posture check process 900. The posture checkprocess 900 contemplates implementation as a computer-implementedmethod, as instructions embodied in a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, and via a processing device such as the user device 300. Theposture check process 900 can be used as an additional criteria forallowing access to the applications 402, 404.

The process 900 includes starting (step 902), such as responsive to arequest to access one of the applications 402, 404. The process 900includes obtaining a list of processes running on the user device 300(step 904), and checking if a specific process X is running (step 906),and, if not, the posture check process 900 ends with the posture markedas failed (step 908). If so, the posture check process 900 includesobtaining a signature for the process X (step 910), and checking if therunning process X matches a thumbprint (step 912). If the thumbprintmatches, then the posture is marked as passed (step 914); otherwise, theposture check process 900 ends with the posture marked as failed (step908).

FIGS. 22 and 23 are GUI screenshots for the posture check process 900.Here, an administrator can select a policy for the posture check,including selecting specific platforms for the user device 300 (e.g.,operating systems), a posture type, and success criteria. The posturetype can include domain joined, a process check, and detection of aspecific pre-defined process (e.g., Carbon Black, CrowdStrike,SentinelOne, etc.). The domain joined can be a specific domain that theuser device 300 is connected to. The process check, as in FIG. 23, is aspecific process with a signer certificate thumbprint. Finally, thespecific pre-defined process is similar to the process check, butprefilled with the signer certificate thumbprint. As noted in theposture check process 900, the posture requires both having the processrunning on the user device 300 and having a thumbprint match.

Identification and Remote Attestation for Restricting Private Access

In addition to the posture check process 900, the present disclosurealso includes identity attestation and remote attestation of a devicefor allowing private Internet access only to the identified device 300.The user device 300 can be allowed access only if the remote attestationsucceeds. The identity attestation can disallow entire private access,or it can be used to restrict access to one or more private accessapplications 402, 404. The proposed solution is to use a TrustedPlatform Module (TPM) for identity attestation and remote attestation.

The TPM is a specialized chip on a user device 300 that stores RSAencryption keys specific to the host system for hardware authentication.The TPM chip contains an RSA Key pair called the Endorsement Key (EK)which is maintained inside the chip. The Endorsement Key cannot beaccessed from the software. TPMs use EK as the secure root of trust. TheEK is unique to the TPM, and changing it essentially changes the deviceinto a new one. There is another key on the TPM called a Storage RootKey (SRK). An SRK may be generated by the TPM's owner after it takesownership of the TPM. Once a TPM device is sold, the new owner can takeownership of the TPM and generate a new SRK, which ensures the previousowner cannot use the TPM. The SRK is unique to the TPM and is used toseal data to the TPM. Application keys generated can be stored in theSRK sandbox and once the device is sold these keys can be revoked. TheEK public key of the user device 300 can be stored in the cloud-basedsystem 100.

The TPM also contains several Platform Configuration Registers (PCRs)that allow secure storage and reporting of security-relevant metrics.These metrics can be used to detect changes to previous configurationsand decide if the endpoint is safe. A safe endpoint is the one for whichthe hashes match for the binaries, i.e., the binaries have not beentampered with.

The present disclosure proposes various mechanisms for restrictingaccess to the applications 402, 404, including restricting privateaccess to Identity attested devices and restricting private access toremote attested devices.

Identity Attestation

The application 350 can use the TPM for identity attestation of the userdevice 300. Various approaches can be used for the attestations.

One of the approaches is to use the EK public key and the SRK publickey. The EK public key of the registered devices 300 can be stored inthe cloud-based system 100. The user device 300, during theregistration, will send the EK public key and the SRK public key in theregistration request. If the EK public key is not found in the EK publickey database of the registered devices 300, the attestation will befailed.

If the EK public key is found in the database, the backend will providea nonce and sign it with EK public key and then with SRK public key. Theapplication 350 will decrypt this nonce and sign a token and with thedecrypted nonce and send the token to backend service. A backend servicein the cloud-based system 100 will validate the token, and if validationsuccess, the identity attestation is a success

Identity attestation can also be done using Attestation Identity Keys orto use any future recommendations from the Trusted Platform Group.

If the identity attestation fails, then application 350 can disallowaccess based on the configuration. If the configuration is to disallowentire private access, then no private access is allowed.

If the configuration is to disallow access to one or more applications402, 404, only those applications will not be allowed access. Forexample, a bank might want to restrict a bank database accessapplication only to be run from the allotted device 300 to the employee.

Remote Attested Devices

This solution proposes to use the measurements done by the TPM forremote attestation and to disallow access to any compromised devices300. The cloud-based system 100 infrastructure allows the use of deviceposture profile to restrict access to a device based on theconfiguration such as file path, registry, client certificates etc.

The solution is to use remote attestation in the device postureprofiles.

The TPM has Platform Configuration Registers (PCR) which are initializedon the power on. The TPM can capture the host system state: this is doneby storing a sequence of measurements in PCRs. After reboot, a platformbegins with trusted software called the Core Root of Trust Management(CRTM). The CRTM calculates the digest of the next software to be runand extends the digest into an even PCR. The software's configuration istypically extended in the odd PCR. This software is mostly BIOS, whichin turn extends the digest for the next software typically Master bootrecord. The measurement chain continues through the early OS kernel codeand further. Eventually, the PCR has the history of all measurementsextended into it.

TPM attestation gives the state of the software cryptographically. A PCRcannot be rolled back to a previous value. The attestation is a TPMquote; a number of PCR are hashed, and the hash is signed by a TPM Key.

The application 350 can send the signed hash to the backend service, inthe cloud-based system 100, in a remote attention request. The back-endservice will validate the system's identity, and if the request is froma valid system, it will match the measurement hashes against awhitelist. If the request is from an invalid system, the remoteattestation will fail.

If the remote attestation is successful, the application 350 will markthe device posture as successful. If the device posture is successful,then private access is allowed, else it is not allowed.

Process

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a process 950 utilizing endpoint securityposture, identification, and remote attestation for restricting privateapplication access. The process 950 contemplates implementation as acomputer-implemented method, as instructions embodied in anon-transitory computer-readable medium, and via a processing devicesuch as the user device 300. The process 950 can be used as anadditional criteria for allowing access to the applications 402, 404.

The process 950 includes, responsive to a request to access anapplication, wherein the application is in one of a public cloud, aprivate cloud, and an enterprise network, and wherein the user device isremote over the Internet, determining if a user of the user device ispermitted to access the application (step 952); determining a posture ofthe user device (step 954); and allowing access to the application basedon whether the user is permitted to access the application and based onthe posture of the user device (step 956). As described herein, theposture can include any of endpoint security posture, identification,and remote attestation for restricting private application access.

The process 950 can include, in response to determining that the user isnot permitted to access the application and/or if the posture fails,notifying the user device the application does not exist, wherein theuser device is prevented from ascertaining an existence of applicationsthat the user device is not permitted to access; and, in response todetermining that the user device is permitted to access the applicationand/or if the posture passes, stitching together connections aconnection between a cloud-based system, the application, and the userdevice and a connection between the cloud system and the application viaa connector to provide access to the application.

The stitching together the connections can include the cloud-basedsystem creating both a connection to the user device and to theapplication to enable the user device and the application tocommunicate. The stitching together the connections can include at leasttwo tunnels between the user device and the application.

The posture can include whether the user device is executing a specificprocess and whether the specific process has a thumbprint that matches.The posture can include attestation based on a Trusted Platform Module(TPM) on the user device. The posture can include identify attestationbased on a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on the user device. The posturecan include remote attestation based on measurements using a TrustedPlatform Module (TPM) on the user device.

CONCLUSION

It will be appreciated that some embodiments described herein mayinclude one or more generic or specialized processors (“one or moreprocessors”) such as microprocessors; Central Processing Units (CPUs);Digital Signal Processors (DSPs): customized processors such as NetworkProcessors (NPs) or Network Processing Units (NPUs), Graphics ProcessingUnits (GPUs), or the like; Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs); andthe like along with unique stored program instructions (including bothsoftware and firmware) for control thereof to implement, in conjunctionwith certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functionsof the methods and/or systems described herein. Alternatively, some orall functions may be implemented by a state machine that has no storedprogram instructions, or in one or more Application Specific IntegratedCircuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certainof the functions are implemented as custom logic or circuitry. Ofcourse, a combination of the aforementioned approaches may be used. Forsome of the embodiments described herein, a corresponding device such ashardware, software, firmware, and a combination thereof can be referredto as “circuitry configured or adapted to,” “logic configured or adaptedto,” etc. perform a set of operations, steps, methods, processes,algorithms, functions, techniques, etc. as described herein for thevarious embodiments.

Moreover, some embodiments may include a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having computer readable code storedthereon for programming a computer, server, appliance, device,processor, circuit, etc. each of which may include a processor toperform functions as described and claimed herein. Examples of suchcomputer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, ahard disk, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM(Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM(Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (ElectricallyErasable Programmable Read Only Memory), Flash memory, and the like.When stored in the non-transitory computer readable medium, software caninclude instructions executable by a processor or device (e.g., any typeof programmable circuitry or logic) that, in response to such execution,cause a processor or the device to perform a set of operations, steps,methods, processes, algorithms, functions, techniques, etc. as describedherein for the various embodiments.

Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and describedherein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examplesthereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functionsand/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments andexamples are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, arecontemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the followingclaims. Moreover, it is noted that the various elements, operations,steps, methods, processes, algorithms, functions, techniques, etc.,described herein can be used in any and all combinations with eachother.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumcomprising instructions that, when executed, cause a user device toperform the steps of: responsive to a request to access an application,wherein the application is in one of a public cloud, a private cloud,and an enterprise network, and wherein the user device is remote overthe Internet, determining if a user of the user device is permitted toaccess the application; determining a posture of the user device; andallowing access to the application based on whether the user ispermitted to access the application and based on the posture of the userdevice.
 2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1,wherein the steps include in response to determining that the user isnot permitted to access the application and/or if the posture fails,notifying the user device the application does not exist, wherein theuser device is prevented from ascertaining an existence of applicationsthat the user device is not permitted to access; and in response todetermining that the user device is permitted to access the applicationand/or if the posture passes, stitching together connections aconnection between a cloud-based system, the application, and the userdevice and a connection between the cloud system and the application viaa connector to provide access to the application.
 3. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the stitching together theconnections includes the cloud-based system creating both a connectionto the user device and to the application to enable the user device andthe application to communicate.
 4. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 3, wherein the stitching together the connectionsincludes at least two tunnels between the user device and theapplication.
 5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1,wherein the posture includes whether the user device is executing aspecific process and whether the specific process has a thumbprint thatmatches.
 6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1,wherein the posture includes attestation based on a Trusted PlatformModule (TPM) on the user device.
 7. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 1, wherein the posture includes identify attestationbased on a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on the user device.
 8. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the postureincludes remote attestation based on measurements using a TrustedPlatform Module (TPM) on the user device.
 9. A method comprising thesteps of: responsive to a request to access an application, wherein theapplication is in one of a public cloud, a private cloud, and anenterprise network, and wherein the user device is remote over theInternet, determining if a user of the user device is permitted toaccess the application; determining a posture of the user device; andallowing access to the application based on whether the user ispermitted to access the application and based on the posture of the userdevice.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the steps include in responseto determining that the user is not permitted to access the applicationand/or if the posture fails, notifying the user device the applicationdoes not exist, wherein the user device is prevented from ascertainingan existence of applications that the user device is not permitted toaccess; and in response to determining that the user device is permittedto access the application and/or if the posture passes, stitchingtogether connections a connection between a cloud-based system, theapplication, and the user device and a connection between the cloudsystem and the application via a connector to provide access to theapplication.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the stitching togetherthe connections includes the cloud-based system creating both aconnection to the user device and to the application to enable the userdevice and the application to communicate.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein the stitching together the connections includes at least twotunnels between the user device and the application.
 13. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the posture includes whether the user device isexecuting a specific process and whether the specific process has athumbprint that matches.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the postureincludes attestation based on a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on theuser device.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the posture includesidentify attestation based on a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on theuser device.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the posture includesremote attestation based on measurements using a Trusted Platform Module(TPM) on the user device.
 17. A user device comprising: one or moreprocessors and memory comprising instructions that, when executed, causethe one or more processors to responsive to a request to access anapplication, wherein the application is in one of a public cloud, aprivate cloud, and an enterprise network, and wherein the user device isremote over the Internet, determine if a user of the user device ispermitted to access the application, determine a posture of the userdevice, and allow access to the application based on whether the user ispermitted to access the application and based on the posture of the userdevice.
 18. The user device of claim 17, wherein the instructions that,when executed, cause the one or more processors to in response todetermining that the user is not permitted to access the applicationand/or if the posture fails, notify the user device the application doesnot exist, wherein the user device is prevented from ascertaining anexistence of applications that the user device is not permitted toaccess, and in response to determining that the user device is permittedto access the application and/or if the posture passes, stitch togetherconnections a connection between a cloud-based system, the application,and the user device and a connection between the cloud system and theapplication via a connector to provide access to the application. 19.The user device of claim 17, wherein the connections are stitchedtogether includes the cloud-based system creating both a connection tothe user device and to the application to enable the user device and theapplication to communicate.
 20. The user device of claim 17, wherein theposture includes whether the user device is executing a specific processand whether the specific process has a thumbprint that matches.